Ellie

This summer we decided to get Lela a playmate. We still hadn't quite made up our mind if we wanted another dog or not, when Joe found out there was an adorable little golden retriever puppy that had been at the pound for 2 weeks and they were ready to put it down. Joe just didn't have the heart to see her put down...so we decided to take her home! We named her Ellie because she so reminded us of the puppy on the Cottonelle commercial!! She has stolen our heart and she and Lela play all day long!

It's Been Awhile

It's been awhile since all of my immediate family were together for a holiday! But this Thanksgiving, we were finally all together for the holiday! We certainly had much to be thankful for! Judson had fun hanging out with his nephews - who are older than him! And all of us took turns loving on my neice Aleah!! We ate till we were full, visited, watched football and Brandi even broke out a deck of cards and patiently taught us a new game! It was a long day as we drove to Wichita and back the same day...but such a wonderful day! I hope the next holiday we all spend together isn't so far apart from this one! And, even though none of us wanted to get our picture taken and our clothes didn't coordinate...we did manage to get a photo of all of us together!

Crockpot Wednesday: Kalua Pork

If you go to a luau in Hawaii, more than likely the main dish is going to be Kalua Pork. I loved this dish from the moment I first tasted it and went on the search for my own recipe. Now, it wasn't practical for me to dig a pit in my backyard on post in which to smoke the pork roast - as is the traditional way to do it. Nor is it easy for me to find the banana leaves here on the mainland to wrap it in, either. So, I found a not so traditional method to cook it - in the crockpot. And I was amazed at how simple it is - just 3 ingredients! And it tastes pretty close to traditional Kalua Pork!Kalua Pork

5 pounds pork butt roast

1 T. liquid smoke flavoring

2 1/2 T. Sea salt, divided

Rub liquid smoke and 1 1/2 T. of the salt into the pork roast. Place in crockpot and cook on high for 4-5 hours. When meat is cooked and tender, shred and sprinkle in remaining salt, if needed.

Traditionally served with rice!

Crockpot Wednesday: Spicy Honey Drumsticks

I usually make this in the oven and use chicken breasts. But, since I had plenty of drumsticks and they seem to take forever to cook, I decided to throw them in the crockpot. I love the sweet and spicy combo of this dish and it turned out perfect in the crockpot!


Spicy Honey Drumsticks

2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
6 T. honey
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
6-8 chicken drumsticks


Mix all ingredients and pour over chicken. Cook on high for 4-5 hours.

This is good and moist and falls off the bone!

Aleah Marie

My new, perfect little Niece - Aleah Marie Mullet!


I never thought my brother Jason would have a child of his own, though he is a great Dad to Brandi's two boys. So what a surprise it was when Jason and Brandi announced they were expecting! On June 18th, little miss Aleah Marie was born. I love seeing the pride in her Mommy and Daddy's face as they hold her. I am so happy that God has blessed them with this little baby girl, that He has blessed Jason with a baby of his own. What an amazing gift!

Colorado Springs

I had a follow up appointment with my Naturopathic doctor this June, and as it was right after our 6th anniversary, we decided to take a little vacation at the same time!

I had really wanted to go to Seven Falls - but was afraid I wouldn't be able to climb all those stairs to the top, and... well.... that would be so embarrassing! But my hubby had faith in me and we decided to go. First we climbed up the 184 steps to the Eagle's Nest to view all seven falls at once. We went back down those steps, took a little break so I could talk my self into it, then climbed the 224 steps to the top of the Falls! I made it! Had to take a few breaks - but so did most of the people, so I didn't feel too bad! It was so beautiful there. So peaceful listening to the water flowing! My legs were sore for a few days - but wow, what a view we had after that climb! It was so worth it!

We also went to see the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Joe is always interested in Indian culture, so it was neat to go see how the Indians had made a home in the side of a cliff. I can't imagine, though, living in such a place. So thankful for modern conveniences such as A/C, heat, running water, etc!

My appointment went well and we did some shopping - of course!

Then our final destination was Pike's Peak! We figured that it would probably be much more pretty in the winter with all the snow, but we were in for a surprise! It was GORGEOUS! All the lush green trees, the sparkling blue lakes and reservoirs. Oh and the scent was heavenly! All those pines and other trees! We drove to the top and it was 34 degrees! Joe forgot to bring a jacket, so we didn't spend much time outside - just enough to take in the view and get a few pictures!

We had such a great time in Colorado! A great place to celebrate our 6 years together! I love having adventures with my hubby! I hope there are many more adventures in the many more years we have together!

Peace

This song came to mind this last week. I needed it's comforting words so much.

"Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above;
Sweep over my spirit forever I pray,
In fathomless billows of love."

In January, my Aunt Cheryl died of cancer.
In April, my Aunt Laura unexpectedly died of a heart attack.
Last week, my Uncle Stacey fell from his attack and suffered a traumatic head injury and died.

I don't understand why these wonderful people had to die. They were good people, great people! They loved their family and friends. Always self-less, always giving. It just didn't make any sense that they should die.

My uncle leaves behind three children. I am so sad for them. I hurt for the loss myself - but my pain is nothing compared to that of his three children. Watching his wife and kids was so hard. Their lives are forever changed.

In the midst of the physical and emotional stress of last week, this song - Wonderful Peace - came to my mind. I may not always understand why God allows things to happen as they do. But I am so glad that His peace is always there, to carry us thru the hard times.

Crockpot Wednesday: Chicken Posole

For this recipe, you must like hominy - not everyone does. However, I really like hominy, so I was excited to try this recipe out! It smelled soooo good while cooking! Joe absolutely loved it, so that is a plus. Especially because there is plenty of leftovers. Hey - makes a quick lunch, just heat it up!

Chicken Posole

2 Chicken breasts

2 cans white hominy, rinsed and drained

3 cups chicken stock/broth

2 cans diced tomatoes

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

3 scallions, sliced thin

3 cloves of garlic

1 T. cumin

2 tsp. chili powder

1 1/2 tsp. oregano

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

Place chicken in crockpot, add remaining ingredients. Stir well and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Take out the chicken and shred. Return shredded chicken to crockpot and stir to combine. Enjoy!

Crockpot Wednesday: Chile Verde

Wow - it's been awhile since I've actually used my crockpot! Been kinda busy. Have had some bad days (my dear Aunt Laura passed away) and some good days (started working part time!). In between all that, I have been to a Naturopathic doctor to see if I can get a few things to start working right in my body and to get rid of these horrible rashes I've been having. Well, I don't get to eat all sorts of exciting things anymore. My favorite fruit - strawberries - are out and I can't have cow's milk or eggs. Also, to reduce my insulin I am off of all carbs except for brown rice, brown rice pasta (which is suprisingly pretty good!), millet, and quinoa - and I can only have one of those a day! I have had quinoa before, but not the millet - and I haven't been brave enough to make any yet! So I have had to get creative with my meals. I am slowly adjusting, but I feel alot better. My skin is getting better, too!

So, here is a crockpot meal made of ingredients that I can have! And, it's one of Joe's favorite dishes when he eats out at Mexican restaurants! It was a success!

Chile Verde

4 pound chuck roast or pork shoulder roast

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 small onion, diced

1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies

10 tomatillos, diced (or use a bottle of salsa verde)

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp. kosher salt

2 tsp. cumin

2 tsp. sage

1 T. oregano

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

Place roast in crockpot, add peppers and onions. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over roast. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Shred meat. Serve with tortillas or rice and beans.

*I put my tomatillos in the blender and pulsed them instead of dicing them, less work!! This recipe also called for a can of diced tomatoes, but I decided not to put them in. Didn't miss them! Also, we like things a bit more spicy, so I added some cayenne.

Joe ate it up and said we should definitely do this one again!

Crockpot Wednesday: Swiss Steak

Here's a new recipe - I thought it turned out pretty good, Joe wasn't as impressed though. He did eat it all, though!

Swiss Steak

3/4 cup flour

1 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp salt

2-2 1/2 pounds top round steak

1-2 T. butter

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 1/3 cups water

1 cup sliced celery, optional

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 tsp. minced garlic

Combine flour, pepper, and salt. Cut steaks into six serving size pieces and dredge in flour mix. In large skillet, brown steak on each side in the melted butter. Place steak in 3 quart crockpot. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over steak. Cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat is tender.

I might tweak it a little next time - it didn't have a really thick sauce and I probably will try to thicken it up a bit next time. But I will for sure try this one again!

Crockpot Wednesday: French Dips with Mushrooms and Onions

This was a new recipe and we will definitely be having it again! I didn't follow the recipe exact, so you are gonna get my version!!

French Dips with Mushrooms and Onions
3 pound beef roast
1 package of mushrooms, sliced (it called for portobellos, but I went the cheap route and got regular mushrooms!!)
1 red onion, sliced
2 cups water (it called for a can of beef broth, but I figured it would make it's own broth while cooking so I just used water! Joe said it was full of flavor!)
Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
Hoagie buns
Cheese

Brown roast on all sides and place in crockpot. Put sliced mushrooms and onions on top and add 2 cups of water. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Cook on low for 8-9 hours.

When fully cooked, shred roast. Put meat on hoagie bun, top with the cooked mushrooms and onions and a slice of cheese. Pair it with a cup of the delicious Au Jus!

Mmm-Mmm-Mmm!!

Crockpot Wednesday: Sunday Chicken Dinner

Well, it's not Sunday as the recipe implies - but I figured it would taste good no matter what day I made it! I was wanting something yummy, but light and fresh. This was just the recipe! And the best part is, I had all the ingredients on hand already!

Sunday Chicken Dinner


4 carrots, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 onion, chopped
1 cup fresh cut green beans
4 small red potatoes, quartered
4 chicken thighs (or 2 chicken breasts)
3/4 cup water
1/2 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. salt



Layer carrots, onion, green beans, potatoes, and chicken in crockpot. Mix water and seasonings and pour over chicken. Cook on high for 4-5 hours. (I'm sure you could cook it on low for around 8 hours)


This one even got a thumbs up from Joe!

Crockpot Wednesday: Spicy Chicken Burritos

We love this spicy chicken mix - though if you don't like it spicy, it is easy enough to make mild!

Here's the recipe!

Spicy Chicken Burritos

2 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts

5 cloves garlic, crushed

2 T. Chili powder

2 T. Olive oil

2 T. Lime juice

1 tsp. salt

1 jalapeno, minced (leave out if you prefer it mild)

Put chicken in crockpot. In a bowl mix the garlic, chili powder, oil, lime juice, salt and jalapeno - pour over chicken. Stir to coat the chicken. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 5 hours. When fully cooked, shred the chicken. Fill tortillas with the chicken mix and your other favorite toppings. Then, of course, enjoy your scrumptious, but oh-so-easy, meal!

Crockpot Wednesday: Chalupa

Chalupa is one of our fav meals around here! Joe's family makes this quite often and it is one of the recipes his mom gave me when we first got married. It is super simple - throw everything together and walk away. And it is super delicious as well!
Here's the recipe:

1 1/2 pound pork loin roast
1/2 pound dried pinto beans
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 Tbs. cumin
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 Tbs. chili powder
4 oz. diced green chilies
1/2 Tbs. salt


Put all ingredients in the crockpot and cover with water. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Bone and shred the pork and then cook on high to desired consistency (generally it is about right anyway, so I don't normal cook any longer). Serve over chips and top with sour cream, cheese, salsa, etc.

*note: you do not have to presoak the beans.

This turned out great, as usual! Hard to mess this one up! I serve mine with a side of guacamole and Asian cole slaw! Hey, the slaw was leftover from lunch - don't worry, I don't normal combine Asian and Mexican food in the same meal!

Crockpot Wednesday: Ham and mashed potatoes

So, I decided one day that Wednesday's supper should always be something made in the crockpot. Since Wednesday is usually one of my busiest days at work and then we have church in the evening, it doesn't leave much time OR energy to cook a good supper. So, I decided I should plan to use my crockpot each Wednesday.

Yes, my crockpot is dirty - it is well used!

Then I decided that I could share my recipes on my blog each week. Yes, I know there are PLENTY of blogs out there with crockpot recipes. Some are probably more exciting than mine! But hey, if I am gonna get into the habit of using my crockpot each week, why not blog about it?!

Now, I am planning on using my crockpot each week, does that mean that I actually will? No. I am planning to post my recipe each week, does that mean that I actually will? No! I promise to REALLY try to post my recipe each week - but please, don't hold me to it!!

So, for the first week, I hadn't really planned much ahead, so I just threw a ham in the crockpot. No, I don't mean one of those ground up, smooshed together shaped things you find at the store. No, this was a nice, homegrown ham roast! One of my absolute fav things to eat! I put it in the crockpot at noon, set it on high and came home to the smell of supper being ready. Now, I did have to boil some taters and mash them, cause...umm... you can't have ham without mashed taters!! Oh, and I put some butter, sour cream, and chives in my taters - very good combo!

I don't have a picture of this delicious meal - I scarfed it down too fast!! Good ole comfort food! Well, and at that point I hadn't planned to start blogging about my crockpot adventures! Let me tell you, though, it sure was nice to come home and relax between work and church!

Oh, and the leftover ham makes AWESOME omlettes and REAL ham sandwiches!

Stick around for the next edition of Crockpot Wednesday!

Hiking Adventure

Last year, Joe and I went to Picture Canyon for an afternoon of hiking and had a great time. So great of a time that we wanted to go again and asked Moe and Jess to come with us. Jess was excited about it as it would be an opportunity to use her new camera!

We first went in search of the Indian rock art on the canyon walls.

Then the guys just HAD to climb as high as they could! Jess and I opted to stay on the ground - hey, someone had to take their picture!
Then we went off hiking. Last time Joe and I went to Picture Canyon, we went off the trail and did our own exploring - this time we stuck to the trail. We lost the trail once and Joe decided to go climbing again - you know, to get up high and see if he could see the trail! So he climbs straight up this cliff - crazy guy - and once he was at the top he announced the trail was up there. What?! I didn't have faith in myself to climb straight up - so Jess and I found a different spot that wasn't quite as steep. We were almost to the top when Joe yells at us from the bottom - apparently he had walked back down the trail and it would have been much easier to get to the top! Oh, well, we did indeed make it. Then we all looked down from where Joe climbed up originally. Yikes - he was even shocked at how straight up the climb was!

We took a little break at the top to enjoy the rugged landscape!

And to think, we went out hiking - in short sleeves - in mid-January!! It was such a beautiful day! We hope we can find more hiking spots to visit again soon!

Crazy Mutt

What happened to that quiet scared little puppy that wouldn't even come out of her cage? Now, Lela is anywhere BUT in her cage! This dog, I don't know what to do with her! She has learned to jump a 6 foot fence - there just is no keeping her in. Thankfully, when we call her, she usually comes home. And if we have to go looking for her, if she sees the car she will follow us home. We just can't seem to keep her in - she loves her freedom, I guess! She comes home and jumps back in and prances around all proud of herself. Then there was the day she brought home some road kill - yuck - I have no idea what it once was!! We have decided to get one of those fences and a shock collar to teach her her boundaries. (I know, I know - sounds so cruel! In my defense, it gives TWO warnings before it will zap her!) Problem is, the weather has just been so nasty out, we haven't braved it to install the fence. We may just have to buckle down and do it - I fear someday she will get out and never come back. Maybe Lela was meant to live in the country - where she can roam freely. Maybe someday we will live in the country and she can. But we just can't bear the thought of giving her to someone else - she is too much a part of our lives now. I love how she peeks at us out the hole in the fence when we come and go. And how when we get home she runs to the back door and waits and if we don't come out right away she has the silliest little sound she makes that is somewhere between a growl and a whine! I love watching Lela and Joe play chase! Oh, what am I gonna do with you, Lela-dog?!